Eleven-year MLB veteran Felix Mantilla passed away on Friday at age 90. Mantilla appeared in 969 games with the Braves, Mets, Red Sox, and Astros from 1956-66, playing primarily as a second baseman, but with a lot of time spent at third base and shortstop plus all three outfield positions.
Though Mantilla never played for the Brewers, the organization paid tribute to Mantilla by recognizing him as “an iconic figure…who was an inspiration to all of us in the Milwaukee baseball community. We will forever remember Felix for his time with the Milwaukee Braves, but even more for the impact he had on thousands of children through the Felix Mantilla Little League.”
One of the first Puerto Rican players to break through in Major League Baseball, Mantilla was signed by the then-Boston Braves during the 1951-52 offseason and made his MLB debut in 1956 once the franchise had moved to Milwaukee. He was primarily a middle infielder during his six seasons with the Braves but bounced around to multiple positions in his role as a bench player.
Mantilla won a World Series ring for his role on the 1957 championship team, and while Mantilla contributed only a walk over 11 plate appearances in the Fall Classic, his one run scored was of vital importance. Entering the 10th inning of Game Four as a pinch-runner, Mantilla scored the game-tying run just before Eddie Matthews’ two-run walkoff home run.
The Mets selected Mantilla away from the Braves as part of the expansion draft, which meant that Mantilla (playing an everyday role for the first time in his career) was part of the infamous 1962 Mets team that went 40-120-1 in the franchise’s inaugural season. He was traded to the Red Sox after that lone season in New York, which sparked the most successful run of Mantilla’s career — he hit .287/.369/.474 with 54 homers over 1297 plate appearances with Boston from 1963-65. Thirty of those home runs came in 1964, and the 1965 season saw Mantilla make the All-Star team for the only time in his career.
Despite this success, Mantilla was traded to the Astros after the 1965 campaign, and his numbers drastically dropped off in the move from Fenway Park to the pitcher-friendly Astrodome. He never played another professional game after the 1966 season, as an Achilles injury that required surgery seemed to curtail his playing career at age 31.
Mantilla finished his career with a .261/.329/.403 slash line and 89 home runs over 3029 plate appearances. He is a member of the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, and as noted in the Brewers’ memorial, Mantilla has had a lasting legacy in Milwaukee as the namesake of a Little League program since 1973.
We at MLB Trade Rumors express our condolences to Mantilla’s family, friends, and loved ones.
It’s hard to hit 30 HR in a season and only rack up 64 RBI, looks like his teammates couldn’t get on for him! RIP
Drove in over 90 the next season!
Solid Major League except for giving the 1959 pennant to the Dodgers.
RIP Felix Mantilla
Non – His best years were with the Red Sox, I hope they have a patch for him this year.
RIP Felix, thoughts and prayers to your loved ones.
Patches cost money. You’re giving John Henry a lot of credit.
let – Touche!
It’s kinda funny how many guys have a season or a typical season where their RBI total is merely approximately double their HR total, which is hefty-ish- the crazier stat lines are the ones where they have like 35 HR’s and 55 RBI’s or something like that.
Then you have an odd season like Dodger 1b Wes Parker in 1970. He drove in 111 runs while hitting just 10 homers – but he led the NL with 47 doubles.
Don’t forget Paul Molitor drove in 113 in 1996 with 9 HR.
Trill – O’Neill came close last year, 31 homers and only 61 RBI.
But that’s why RBI can be such a misleading stat, because the guys who bat in front of you and behind you play a huge part in how many RBI opportunities you’ll have. Ask Barry Bonds, who was constantly walked or pitched around.
That’s why the slash line for RISP is a far better indicator of a player’s ability to drive in runs.
My first in-person game EVER was at Ebbetts Field Milwaukee Braves/Brookly Dodgers. The leadoff hitter—and therefore the first player I ever saw live—was Felix Mantilla.
My memory is that he hit a low line drive to center field (manned by my favorite player at the time) Duke Snider. The ball was clearly a base hit, but when Snider went down for the ball it skipped through his legs(for an error) and rolled all the way to the CF fence, where Carl Furillo—backing up Snider—got the ball.
But Mantilla could fly and he was on third base — the first play I ever saw live!
RIP Felix. Terrific player.
RIP a great member of the loveable 1962 Mets
Where he played the majority of his games at 3B.
A little before my time but I had some of his old baseball cards. RIP Felix.
Thanks to the Brewers for not letting his passing just go. Shows incredible class to thank a guy who was big in the market, but never on your team.
Felix “Wrong Way” Mantilla who had an instinct for running the wrong direction on ground balls. 🙂
I guess he lived the right way… a nice long life!
RIP and LGM!
RIP
RIP Felix…..
90 is pretty good run plus he got paid to play ball. Condolences to his family n friends. RIP
Thanks for this article. RIP Felix.
thanks for your commitment to grass roots baseball Felix.
you did more for the sport than most 15 year big leaguers.
Always rooted for him. Along with Julian Javier.
Teammates with Schilling and Nixon.
He sure could hit for those Red Sox teams that I rooted for in the early-mid sixties.
Good life and hope he’s at peace.
RIP Felix.
Nicknamed “The Cat” for the cartoon playing at the same time.
RIP Felix.
Mantilla was before my time, but I always appreciate that this is the place that former players get their proper eulogy, whether they were superstars or drinkers of a cup of coffee. I salute you and will continue to support this community.
Felix the Cat was excellent at Fenway Park. He would pop those fly balls over the Green Monster with ease and play a smooth second base R.I. P.
, sir.